Vice President, Human Resources

SkyWater Search Partners; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

SkyWater Search Partners is seeking an experienced VP of Human Resources to join the executive leadership team in the Chicago area. This hands-on, high-impact role partners with senior operations leadership across multiple sites to shape people strategy as the business scales.

The role requires strong HR leadership in manufacturing, with a track record of modernizing HR functions and driving engagement for an hourly, multi-shift workforce.

Qualifications

• Significant HR leadership experience within manufacturing, industrial, or warehousing environments.
• Experience managing HR for a large, multi-site hourly workforce.
• Visible leader on the plant floor, not just in the boardroom.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity in a dynamic, entrepreneurial setting.
• Credibility with all levels from frontline staff to ownership.
• Track record of modernizing and elevating HR functions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as strategic HR partner to senior operations leadership across multiple sites
• Lead workforce planning, compensation structure, and policy development
• Strengthen alignment between HR and operations leadership
• Drive initiatives to improve retention and engagement for hourly workforce
• Maintain visibility across plant floor to ownership
• Bring structure and consistency to HR practices as the organization grows

Skills

HR leadership

Manufacturing HR

Workforce planning

Policy development

Employee relations

Plant floor presence

Job description

• Job Tag:
• Posted: September 17,2026

Our client, a privately-held, successful manufacturing organization with multiple facilities, is seeking an experienced VP of Human Resources to join their executive leadership team. This role is based in the Chicago area. This is a high-impact, hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in a fast-moving, multi-site manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will partner closely with senior operations leadership and have direct visibility with ownership, playing a key role in shaping the organization’s people strategy as the business continues to grow.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic and hands-on HR partner to senior operations leadership across multiple sites
• Lead and elevate core HR functions, including workforce planning, compensation structure, and policy development
• Build stronger alignment and trust between HR and operations leadership
• Drive initiatives to improve retention and engagement across an hourly, multi-shift workforce
• Maintain a visible, credible presence across all levels of the organization, from the plant floor to ownership
• Bring structure and consistency to HR practices as the organization continues to grow

Desired Skills And Experience

• Significant HR leadership experience within manufacturing, industrial, or warehousing environments
• Strong background managing HR for a large, multi-site, hourly workforce
• A leader who is comfortable being visible and present on the plant floor, not just in the boardroom
• Sound judgment and the ability to navigate ambiguity in a dynamic, entrepreneurial setting
• Credibility and presence across all levels of the organization, from frontline employees to ownership
• A track record of modernizing and elevating HR functions